Ageless Beauty: A Dermatologist's Secrets for Looking Younger Without Surgery

""We're living in an incredible era. For the first time in human history, we can minimize or totally obliterate the outward signs of aging."" If some of the advice here is couched in hyperbole (as these opening lines from the preface), the actual practical advice here seems grounded-if one is committed to changing one's appearance. Offering plenty of encouragement to do so, Victor writes as a private practice dermatologist with teaching appointments at several New York hospitals. Working with professional medical writer Yalof, he here sings the praises of Retin-A (""This astonishing compound was created as a treatment for acne"" but can ""work miracles on more than that""); and laser resurfacing (""you name the symptom, and the erbium laser will beam it away, leaving your skin noticably smoother"") and is less enthusiastic about the ""deep peel,"" which he describes as a ""a potent and controversial procedure that has fallen into considerable disfavor""-and which ""generally costs between $3,500 and $7,500."" And that, in the book's longest chapter, is just the face. Other chapters offer advice for dealing with cellulite (""Legs, Legs, Legs""), and for addressing various hand problems (""Gloves Off!""), hair loss, and teeth that are crooked or discolored. There's even a chapter ""For Men Only."" Perhaps the most reassuring thing about the book is the Q&A section that ends every chapter, whereby fears, anxieties and dangers are addressed forthrightly and in turn. This may not be the book to turn to if one is looking for a skeptic of beauty culture, but Victor's enthusiasm and expertise will be more than enough for those driven to seek advice and treatment.